title: [Nearby perforator flaps as alternative choices for anterolateral thigh flap when lacking useful perforator].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the proposal using nearby perforator flaps as alternative reconstructive choices for anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap when lacking useful perforator.
  
  
  METHODS
  From August 2010 to August 2012, 8 cases with head and neck cancer were found lacking reliable perforator during ALT flap elevation, a tensor fascia latae (TFL) flap or an anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap was used to complete the reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 8 alternative flaps were successfully harvested, other donor sites were not needed. Flap harvest time was 50-85 min. Of 5 TFL flaps, pedicle lengths were 6-10 cm, and the diameters of the arteries and veins were 2.5-3.0 mm and 2.5-3.5 mm respectively. Of 3 AMT flaps, pedicle lengths were 10-15 cm, the rectus femoris branch was used as pedicle in 1 flap, with artery and vein more than 1.0 mm in diameter, and the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery was used as pedicle in other 2 flaps, the diameters of the arteries were 3.5 and 3.0 mm respectively, the diameters of the veins were 3.5 mm. The donor sites were directly closed in 7 cases and skin graft was performed in another case. All the flaps were alive and no complication was found in the donor sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TFL or AMT flap is an good alternative to ALT flap lacking useful perforator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China (Email:jieliu04@gmail.com).
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: De-zhi
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Chang-ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Zhen-gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Shao-yan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D061525:Perforator Flap; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery